Merkel Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck: Challenges in Diagnosis and Therapy

Publishing date

15 Feb 2013

Status

Published

Submission deadline

28 Sep 2012

Lead Editor

Boban M. Erovic¹

Guest Editors

Brett A. Miles² | Justin Lee³

¹Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, Vienna, Austria

²Department of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, One Gustave L. Levy Place Box 1189, New York, NY 10029, USA

³Department of Radiation Oncology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON, Canada M4N 3M5

Merkel Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck: Challenges in Diagnosis and Therapy

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Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare and highly aggressive malignant tumor of the skin with a high predilection for regional lymph node involvement, distant metastases, and local recurrence. The US Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results Program (SEER database) estimated an incidence of 0.32 per 100.000 people and approximately 45–48% of all primary tumours appear in the head and neck region. Recent advances in biology and medicine have introduced new technologies to study the genetics of Merkel cell carcinoma and the mechanisms underlying its pathology. Knowledge and understanding of these conditions have led to the development of new diagnostic tests, successful therapies, and novel tools to characterize these clinical conditions and provide better care to patients.

We invite investigators to contribute original research articles as well as review articles that will stimulate the continuing efforts to understand the carcinogenesis of Merkel cell carcinoma, the development of strategies to treat these patients, and the evaluation of outcomes. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

Recent epidemiologic data
New insights into molecular mechanisms of MCPyV
Latest diagnostic, prognostic, and target proteins in Merkel cell carcinoma
Role of inflammation in Merkel cell carcinoma
Surgical management of Merkel cell carcinoma
Role of radiation therapy
Chemotherapy in metastatic disease
Epidemiological data on Merkel cell carcinoma in relation to sun exposure
Advances in molecular genetics and molecular diagnostics
Current concepts in the treatment of Merkel cell carcinoma using Mohs surgery, ablative approaches, and microvascular reconstruction
Role of radiotherapy in the node negative patient
New concepts for chemotherapy in patients with metastatic disease

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal's Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jsc/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/ according to the following timetable: